To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

electric outlet for 5600 watt heater

S

sboz8

New member
Joined
Jul 9, 2008
Messages
4
Long time lurker, first post. I have a 240 volt outlet for a window unit air conditioner in my shop. It is ran to a 30 amp braker with 10-2 wire in a 100 amp sub panel.
I just purchased a Pro fusion 5600 watt fan forced heater from Northern tool. It has a different plug than my window ac has. I know the wire and breaker will handle the new heater. My question is can I install a junction box before the window ac outlet and feed 10-2 to both the new outlet for the heater and the old window ac outlet.
Obviously they can't both be used at the same time but the window ac is out of the window and in storage when the heater needs to be used. I appreciate any advice. This site has been a wealth of information for my project.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
OP
S

sboz8

New member
Joined
Jul 9, 2008
Messages
4
p_mori7 said:
could you change the male plug / cable on the heater ?
Click to expand...

I don't think that would work. The heater is a 6-30p and the air conditioner looks similar but it is much smaller. It looks like a 6-15r. I appreciate the replies. Are there any other solutions without running another circuit.
 
F

ForceFed70

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 27, 2010
Messages
3,441
Location
BC, Canada
I would also change the plug. Not sure why you think it won't work. Cut the old plug off and wire the new one in.

BUT, if you really want you can make a short adapter cord/extension cable. Put your 6-15r plug on one end and a single gang box with 6-30p receptical on the other end.
 
L

lametec

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2008
Messages
2,099
Location
Michigan
The obvious reason for not using the 6-15 is that it's only rated for 15A.

You could put a 6-30 plug on the AC unit, then change the receptacle to 6-30 as well.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
M

madosta

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 4, 2012
Messages
807
Location
Michigan
lametec said:
The obvious reason for not using the 6-15 is that it's only rated for 15A.

You could put a 6-30 plug on the AC unit, then change the receptacle to 6-30 as well.
Click to expand...

Thus you won't see any pre-made adapter cables for this.

The heater draws 23.3 amps according to Northern Tool

You should probably upgrade the receptacle.
 
OP
S

sboz8

New member
Joined
Jul 9, 2008
Messages
4
madosta said:
Thus you won't see any pre-made adapter cables for this.

The heater draws 23.3 amps according to Northern Tool

You should probably upgrade the receptacle.
Click to expand...

I guess the solution is to change the outlet for the correct appliance each fall and spring.
 
J

joe_padavano

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 26, 2011
Messages
1,788
Location
Northern VA
madosta said:
Thus you won't see any pre-made adapter cables for this.

The heater draws 23.3 amps according to Northern Tool

You should probably upgrade the receptacle.
Click to expand...

X2. The wiring and breaker are in place to support 30A, so just change the receptacle. If you don't want to cut the A/C wiring, build a short adapter cable. This is trivially easy and all the parts are at home depot.
 
T

theoldwizard1

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2011
Messages
43,604
Location
SE MI
sboz8 said:
I have a 240 volt outlet for a window unit air conditioner in my shop. It is ran to a 30 amp braker with 10-2 wire in a 100 amp sub panel.
...
The heater is a 6-30p and the air conditioner looks similar but it is much smaller. It looks like a 6-15r. I appreciate the replies. Are there any other solutions without running another circuit.
Click to expand...
With a 30A breaker and 10-2 wire the receptacle should really be a 6-30R.

Changing the plug on the heater or making a whip to go to the lower current plug is the wrong thing to do. If anything, change the receptacle and make a whip for the A/C or change the plug to a 6-30P.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom